“If the players complain in training we have punishments. It will be push-ups or laps of the pitch.

“I have always done this throughout my career.”

“The players learn to keep playing until they hear the whistle and not to react badly when the referee makes a mistake.”

City face Everton in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday night believing they have twice been on the end of poor refereeing decisions when they have met the Merseysiders recently.

Jesus Navas was denied a penalty by Robert Madley after being fouled by Kevin Mirallas as Everton won the first leg 2-1 at Goodison.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City is challenged by John Stones of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at the Etihad Stadium on January 13, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (Image: Laurence Griffiths)

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And last week’s Premier League clash finished goalless after Roger East failed to recognise that John Stones’ reckless injury-time challenge on Raheem Sterling was worthy of a spot-kick.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez insisted the officials got it right both times - but was was scathing about the performance of referee Mike Jones after last week’s draw at Chelsea.

Pellegrini refused to brand Martinez a hypocrite.

But he said: “I tell my players not to dive. I tell them that it is the referee who decides if it is a penalty or not.

“We try to be a fair team that does not cheat the referee and Aguero always tries to stay on his feet even when he is being fouled.

“I try to transmit to my players that referees can make mistakes - and in both games against Everton we had clear penalties that weren’t given.

Manuel Pellegrini (Image: Reuters / Phil Noble)

“In the next game we must create more chances, try to be a better team than Everton, and not depend on one incident during the game that is about the referee.”

Pellegrini added: “I won’t speak about Martinez because I know how difficult it is for managers to comment after a game.

“Your mind is not clear. It is hard to be fair and impartial.

“Sometimes you get the decision, sometimes you don’t.

“We just have trust that the next referee will do the best that he can.

“The only thing I can say for certain - and I am proud to say it - is that I am a very bad referee in training.”